I am working on interpretation of combat images from Roman pottery, to this end I am looking for any newly discovered images of fighting men on Roman pottery, I am particularly anxious to know of any new discoveries on Arretine ware.
I may not have any new types, but I'll send you rubbings of examples from Chester amphitheatre.
Thank you Margaret, all such images are of interest regardless of whether they are regarded as new types since part of my study involves looking for subtle differences in how the same image is used by different potters. possible variations that have shown up so far include variations in armour, 'sword' type and spacings of figures, all of which I suspect will eventually turn out to be significant.
Will forward some images soon, Timothy.
Not on samian, but in the news today was an interesting parallel [from Farndon, on the English side of the Dee, across from Holt's legionary works-depot].
The article says '1st-c BC' and both reports say 'soldier' - see:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-37521051
https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/747298
Thank you for the link re the gemstone. I must admit the first thing that occurred to me was the parallels in posture with the Fresco of the Gladiators from the Tomb of Vestorius Priscus outside the Vesuvian Gate at Pompeii. In part this may be conditioned by the red background of this fresco being similar to the carnelian used for the gemstone. Given the form of the helmet I agree it looks early, either 1st century BCE or CE. The overall effect is unusual. The fallen posture is usually associated with defeat as is the posture of the 'panther' if that is indeed what it is, I cannot decide from the image whether the stone has been damaged, was badly carved or just has not photographed well. The usual parallels are with a human opponent standing over a defeated foe who is sat and with a human killing a leaping beast. This seems to combine the two images and have a human who has been knocked to the ground but is still fighting, in that situation I don't suppose appealing to clementia from an angry big cat was any more use than appealing to Claudius.
I believe that the gemstone is/was set in the pendant upside down.......
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